Sebaceous Filaments: What Are These Blackhead Look-Alikes + 5 Ways To Get Rid Of Them

Below, derms explain everything you need to know about the blackhead look-alikes.

They're typically most visible along your T-zone, Downie mentions, as that's where people tend to accrue the most oil. Sometimes vellus hairs can even become trapped within the pore, resulting in a condition called trichostasis spinulosa. (For what it's worth: Both trichostasis spinulosa and sebaceous filaments are often confused for blackheads.)

As we said, sebaceous filaments are naturally occurring in your pores, and they only become an issue once they're visible to the naked eye. However, some people are more prone to clogged filaments than others. According to Downie, family history, smoking, hormonal fluctuations, and an oily skin type are some of the main culprits.  

When the excess sebum mixes with dead skin and bacteria, that's when the filaments can become inflamed—and that's where blackheads come into play. Once those sebaceous filaments build up and up, they can quickly turn into acne. Then once it oxidizes, it'll turn dark in color, and—poof!—you've just reached blackhead status. 

Full disclosure: Sebaceous filaments are simply part of your pore structure. You can't get rid of them (and, trust, you don't want to!). However, you can decrease their appearance once they become noticeable. Here's what the derms recommend: 

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Be it a prescription-strength or OTC option, retinoids "increase the turnover of skin cells and reduce the tendency of cells and keratin debris to clump together and clog up pores," King told us about sebum plugs (just another name for when those sebaceous filaments spill out). 

If you've never tried cleansing with oil before, consider this a sign to dabble in the regimen. Oil dissolves oil, so an oil cleanser can actually eliminate excess sebum, as well as daily dirt and grime (aka, the exact recipe for sebaceous filaments). "I especially like oil cleansers for oily, congested skin," says Britta Plug, holistic esthetician and mbg Collective member. (Find our favorite cleansing oils for every skin type here.)

If your skin falls on the oily side, you might want to tweak your skin care routine and skip the whip-thick formulas for the time being; if your pores are overproducing sebum, it's a sure sign to cool it on the heavy creams. Or, if you face combination skin, perhaps slather on a lightweight gel cream on oilier areas and apply your buttery confection on drier portions. 

And for what it's worth, you might want to steer clear of at-home extraction tools as well. These high-tech machines sure are fancy, but they can be way too harsh on delicate facial skin and cause irritation or broken capillaries, sometimes even scarring. 

Everybody has sebaceous filaments naturally in their skin—it's when the pores become clogged with too much sebum that these filaments become noticeable. They may be difficult to get rid of, but it's not an impossible feat. And while they may look like blackheads upon first glance (some are even darker in color), you shouldn't treat them the same as those comedones.